Manchester City manager Joe Royle believes that Mark Kennedy will finally prove himself in the Premiership.

Kennedy has had two chances to make his name in top-flight football but on both occasions he failed to shine. He moved to Liverpool as the most expensive teenager ever, but failed to hold down a first-team place.

Liverpool cut their losses and sold the Dubliner on to Wimbledon but Kennedy's time at Selhurst Park was even worse. When Manchester City signed him they took a slight risk but Kennedy has gone on to prove that he is one of the best wingers in the game.

Royle believes Kennedy's time has come and he will take the Premiership by storm. He said: "Mark comes into this season with a much firmer base than he has ever had before. He was very young when he went to Liverpool and his games tended to be as a wing-back which would not suit him - and that's not making excuses for him.

"When he went to Wimbledon it was in a struggling side and they jettisoned their wide men when they were struggling. He comes up with us full of confidence, with an adoring audience and a manager who totally believes in him.

I would agree that in the true science of the thing that he has to prove himself as a Premiership player but I am confident that he will and he is confident that he will. All Mark has wanted to do is play football - he loves it. Last season he played 40-odd games, which is why I say he has a firm base."

Kennedy, who has always been a firm favourite with Irish manager Mick McCarthy, needed a club manager to show confidence in his ability and that is what Royle has done.

"I think every player loves to be believed in. I know I felt that way as a player and I have every faith in Mark," concluded Royle.